This tiny abode can be found in the area of Sant Joan de les Abadesses in Spain. It’s set at the top of a four-story residential building and required an intervention to make it habitable for its current owners.

The property features tall ceilings that extend up to the roof space – a feature that was capitalized on during the renovation with the creation of a mezzanine like room.

The project was taken on by a local architecture firm called SAU Taller D’Arquitectura. Works were completed in 2017, and resulted in a cool, contemporary pad filled with white walls, wooden ceilings, and lots of light.

The renovation was simply dubbed “Casa Aleix I Mariona”, presumably after the current owner-occupiers. They now share a 431-square-foot (40-square-meters) space (although, it’s not clear whether this area includes the loft).

A considerable amount of work went into replacing and repairing the property – much of the roof wasn’t watertight, and parts of it were in such as state, that the roof was condemned. The existing roof structure was replaced with a single Pratt truss.

The inclusion of the truss allowed the architects to create the loft area, adding an extra 205-square-feet (19-square-meters) to the home. Other areas were also revised, repaired or replaced as necessary.

From the architects: “Coming to this intervention, we found the existing communal stairway, the bathroom and the kitchen against the party wall on the north side. A bedroom and dressing room/study are inserted into the loft, where they enjoy light and ventilation through the roof.”

Structural engineer by day, tiny house designer by night. Niall has a keen interest in small spaces, green design, and sustainability. He started developing Humble Homes while studying for his masters degree in engineering. He is the founder and managing editor of Humble Homes.

this border house is efficiently planned, bright and cherry. Might not be so comfortable in the coldest of climates. I think that the trick is to design in the spirit of “vacation” houses and with more permanent residency in mind. “both and” not “either or”.